Rangers Roundup: No big salary cap bump, and Brennan Othmann update

new york rangers
Apr 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the media about the state of the NHL prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers on Saturday.

For NHL teams and free agents holding out hope that the salary cap would rise higher than the originally projected $1 million increase, they were delivered a gut punch.

“Based on our current projections there will still be some escrow and that means the salary cap will go up by a million dollars give or take,” Bettman stated. “The following season, we go to a normal cap increase.”

RELATED: Rangers hoping for bigger salary cap increase

Rangers could have used the extra bump

The New York Rangers were set to have a challenging offseason and could’ve used that extra $1-$1.5 million bump that many speculated last month.

As it stands, the Blueshirts have just under $12 million in cap space with only 14 players signed. Even if they opt to go with a 21-man roster next season, they’ll still need to sign or bring up a total of 7 players.

With two key RFA’s in Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller to sign, the chances of GM Chris Drury looking to make a trade involving a salary cap dump increases. Veteran Barclay Goodrow remains the most likely candidate because he has a modified no-trade clause and not a full one. Trading him will be tough as he has four years remaining on his deal with a cap hit of $3.6 million, which means they’ll likely need to add a draft pick to entice the acquiring team to assume the full contract.

NHL Salary Cap projections:

  • 2023-24: $83.5 million
  • 2024-24: $87.5 million
  • 2025-25: $92 million

Brennan Othmann on Memorial Cup loss

Brennan Othmann
Brennan Othmann about to score his first goal with the Peterborough Petes. Brennan Othmann with J. Ross Robertson Trophy Photo: David Pickering (@_picks_pics)

The Peterborough Petes magical season came to an end at the hands of the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Memorial Cup Playoffs.

“We spent every single second together, and that’s why we won a championship,” Othmann said. “Yeah we had skill, guys that can hit, and step in the lineup but why we won is because of a brotherhood. That’s what I’m going to miss about this group.”

Othmann, 20, was selected by the Rangers in the first-round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. This past season, he registered 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 56 matches split between the Flint Firebirds and Petes. In the playoffs, he led the team with 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points in 23 playoff games to help them win the OHL Championship.

In the Memorial Cup, Othmann led the Petes with 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 5 games.

The Rangers are expected to give Othmann a serious look at training camp for the 2023-24 season.

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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